Chapter 357: Struggle Over

———Karra———

<1: 19 pm>

*Slash*

“Huff… Well, they sure aren’t easy to take down just like last time!” Qyunda said as she took a deep breath after killing the last monster. “What floor are we on?”

“Ninth floor.” Wiina answered. It sounds unimpressive only reaching here, but this is the second most difficult dungeon any of us has been through, and the gap between this and a normal dungeon is massive.

I think anyone can figure out that a dungeon on a floating island with unknown origin is going to be way tougher.

“So the next one should be the boss floor then?” Malk asked. “I think we seriously forget how strong this dungeon is, even if it has been a long while.”

“Two months isn’t that long, I’d say.” I remarked as everyone took a short break.

“I bet it’s another big crow again. Those things were pretty noisy.” Malk remarked as he sat down for a bit. Since we have a few hours to explore we can take some time to rest and catch our breath. We don’t want to make Wiina step in, that would seriously hurt the ego of those two school idols, and Wiina will probably complain about my failings if that happens after this is all over with. “I don’t remember it being this hard, honestly.”

“I’d imagine that’s because the supervisors and hard-hitters were carrying more than you like to remember.” Wers chimed in. “Right now they are making us work hard to move to the next level. No cheesing it with running past them or anything like that.”

“Don’t say it like that’s our usual style!” Qyunda yelled at him for the comment. I guess with Wiina here she doesn’t want her of all people to get the wrong idea, even if this gesture is completely meaningless.

“Hmm… Maybe all of you need more time to rest.” Wiina joined in on the fun while looking completely stoic.

“Look at what you did!” Qyunda yelled at him some more thanks to her reaction. Wers can only glare at her like he wasn’t the reason this little exchange even happens.

“All of you can rest if you want. I am still full of energy.” I said just to stir things up a bit. Seni and that proxy body are also fine since they are the healers, stamina isn’t the main concern.

“Then go on ahead. Can you three fight whatever is next alone?” Wers asked.

“Well, considering my raw stats…” I said with a smirk, not falling for the taunt. “What do you two think?”

Neither of them said anything, but they nod in response.

“That would be fine by me, but I need to come along as well, just in case.” Wiina said. “We do not fully understand how the monster respawn mechanic works here, so I suggest coming along anyway even if you three are exhausted.”

“Hey! I’m perfectly fine!” Malk protested as he stood back up with the other two doing the same.

“Then we keep moving.” Wiina said before leading us to the next floor while not everyone is near a hundred percent. Honestly even without the earlier exchange they might get up quickly just to not lose face to the other groups.

It’s not a race but someone will definitely tease the bottom group for it. It’s definitely not going to be Emmie’s group and Wiina is not showing any real favoritism so far so it’s my group against Kenni’s. It’s really not much of a competition, and Kenni would definitely find a way to make excuses, but the rest of them don’t know why those accusations will be thrown at Wiina and I, so she might also say nothing because it wouldn’t have much reaction…

Either way, we have arrived at the tenth floor, and what awaits us is…

“An artificial human.” Wiina explained what it is to us before we could speculate. It looks like a masked man wearing a coat with two large guns. The clothing is lined with glowing bits that makes it look futuristic. “Don’t go easy on it just because it resembles one.”

“Like we go easy on humans anyway.” I said while holding my dagger up close. “Everyone?”

“We’re plenty ready.” Qyunda spoke up first while the others nodded along.

“Then let’s go!” I said before running towards the humanoid monster.

*Bang* *Evade* *Swing* *Evade*

It naturally shot its bullet at me that I managed to avoid and ran in to take a swing at it, but the effort I took to dodge the incoming bullet slowed me down slightly and giving it time to react and dodge as well.

*Dash* *Swing* *Parry*

Qyunda jumped in to attack it only for her to be intercepted by it swinging one of its guns at her and reflecting the sword swings.

**Bang** **Leap**

It then aimed at both of us and forced us to quickly jump away with two shots coming down.

*Dash* *Strike*

At that moment with us and the boss occupied, Malk ran in and struck it cleanly in the chest and sent it packing, but it quickly recovered from the force of the blow and stood back up.

*Bang* *Evade* *Bang* *Evade* *Bang* *Evade*

“Argh! Annoying!” Qyunda is quick to complain as it continues shooting at all of us and forcing us to dodge. While we could simply tank a few shots and close in to attack, those few shots would be enough to penetrate our defenses and leave us with a crippling wound. It only takes a few shots for us to realize that its weapons are on another level from normal firearms. The size of the bullets are a few times bigger and yet the speed of the projectile isn’t compromised. The force behind each bullet is significantly greater than the norm that can already cause a bit of trouble to trained fighters.

We don’t have a lot of time to react to them either or who they are going to target next, and closing it would simply make its job easier…

*Sizz* *Blast* *Boom*

I managed to sneak in a fiery projectile while it was occupied with the others. Long range attack is the best option right now even if no one here is particularly specialized in it.

“Hah!” Wiina’s proxy body then jumps in to attack as well.

*Clash* *Parry*

Not a whole lot happened aside from distracting it for a while.

*Dash* *Slash* *Strike* *Slash*

Qyunda took that opportunity to jump in and get a clean hit with her swords multiple times with the assistance from that one adding more attacks in.

*Bang* **Leap** *Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

The artificial gunman then began shooting its guns wildly to shake the two of them off. While the damage on it isn’t a lot it was being pinned down enough for it to be whittled down eventually. The two had to retreat while the rest of us had to make some distance as well until it stopped.

The fact that it doesn’t need to reload is really making this more difficult than it should be.

*Throw* *Crash*

Wers formed a giant rock that he then hurled right at the gunman, tanking through the storm of bullets and causing it to flinch and stop its assault.

*Swerng*

Seni then erect a barrier to enclose it, giving us time to breath, but it realizes very quickly what was happening and will no doubt try to break through it as quickly as possible. She looks a bit winded from having to quickly cast that protective spell.

*Shine*

“Malk!” Qyunda shouted out as she quickly moved to his side with her blades glowing brightly, gathering mana and refining it into something much more deadly.

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Crack*

It tried to break the barrier by continuously shooting it, and there is only so much it can take before going down.

“On it!” He loudly replied as both of them create distance between them and the boss. I have seen this move before!

*Bang* *Bang* *Shatter*

Soon enough the barrier breaks and it quickly shifts its attention to the duo, no doubt seeing them as the current threat to itself.

*Bang* *Block*

Before I could intervene Wers jumped in the way of the gunshot coming their way, shielding them as they performed their combo.

*Grab* *Spin* *Leap* *THROW*

Malk grabbed Qyunda by the tail before spinning her around and jumping up high and throwing her with great force right towards the boss with the speed that makes it unavoidable.

*SLASH* *Crash* *Tumble*

She got a clean hit on it with her two charged up slashes that sent it flying and crashing into the wall while she herself inelegantly rolled on the ground for a moment before propping herself back up.

*Dash* *Sizz* *Slash* *Strike* *Slash*

I took the opportunity to run in with my flaming dagger and attack with multiple slashes and strikes. Even after taking that massive blow it can still move and struggle.

*Lean* *Bang* *Leap*

The moment I saw the gun barrel aimed at me I quickly leaned back and avoided the incoming gunshot. That was way too close for comfort and I quickly retreated.

“It’s still alive?” Malk said in disbelief. Most things would have been obliterated by the combo move they just did alone, so it still being functional even after I wail at it just shows the level of monsters here is a significant increase from the norm.

That does make me wonder how much stronger people of the future are, but that is something to speculate about later.

“Haaaa!” Seni suddenly screamed out as she pushed her arms forward.

*Crackle* *ZAP*

A massive ball of lightning formed and launched at the gunman, hitting it dead-on with a massive explosive reaction. I didn’t realize she has a move like that!

Either way, it is clearly affecting it hard, so now is our chance!

****Dash**** *Slash* *Strike* *Smash* *Slash* *Bash* *Punch* *Slash* *SLICE*

It looks like Wiina’s proxy body got the last kill despite not being one of the main damage dealers. 

“Hey!” Qyunda is quick to notice that and immediately voice her complaints.

“Cut it, it sucks but it is what it is.” Malk is also not satisfied with that conclusion but doesn’t want it to turn into an argument. “We still have the stamina to keep going, right? The next floor should be a bit easier.”

“You said that like we weren’t grasping for air on the last floor.” Wers pointed out. “Besides, maybe the other teams aren’t even progressing as quickly. We need to keep a healthy pace.”

“Yeah right…” Malk said, but his condition is definitely not pristine. Most of us weren’t in top shape coming into the tenth floor which definitely affected the speed of the fight a bit. “We can rest after the next floor. How about that?”

“I seconded that.” Qyunda quickly chimed in. The two supports don’t seem to care…

“Count me in.” I spoke up as well and Wers looked dissatisfied. “Hey, you were the one bringing the topic up earlier, don’t make that face. Besides, it’s not like we exhaust ourselves that much with only one opponent.”

———Jeff———

<1: 27 pm>

“Hey, Emmie… Can you take over for the next floor?” Jeyst spoke up as the rest of us were still catching our breaths. “Surely you can do that, you barely participated so far. Just the next floor will do.”

I get why she doesn’t want to fight since it’ll be trivial and boring to her, but surely lending a helping hand wouldn’t hurt. It’s five people while other groups probably fight with all six members. This is kinda unfair ain’t it?

“...Sure.” She replied without causing any fuss. Oh thank goodness.

“Would that even give us that much grace?” Nicks asked as we reached the tenth floor.

“Probably not, but better than nothing?” Jeyst said while not looking all too sure.

What we found is a… gunman? Looks somewhat ordinary, but that’s the floor boss, right?

*Dash* *SLASH*

Before we could even comment on it Emmie ran in and sliced it in two before it could even react. It wasn’t even a fight…

“Onto the next floor.” Emmie said as she led the way with Coach Wana following close behind.

Dang it…